She …· is afraid of her partner.· cannot express her own opinion or feelings without being fearful of her partner’s reaction.· must ask her partner’s permission to see family or friends, spend money or make purchases.· sometimes feels as if she is living with two different people.· tries to please her partner, only to be criticized repeatedly.· constantly attempts to mold her children, her environment and herself into what pleases her partner.· stays confused about the difference in the way her partner perceives the relationship and the way she perceives it.· eventually believes all the terrible things her partner accuses her of and says about her; is unsure of reality.

If you are ministering to a woman and you observe that these actions are occurring or she shares information related to them, encourage her to seek professional help from a licensed Christian counselor. The cycle of abuse continues and worsens without treatment.

Remember: safety takes precedence over confidentiality. If the woman refuses or hesitates to seek help, enlist a qualified professional to assist you. Do not attempt intervention alone.

Comments

Thank you so much for making this a priority topic. I am a Christian,
married a Christian man-both of us are professionals with college
degrees—-and I was the victim of Domestic Abuse. We went to
counseling for Years—but the core issue was never dealt with.
My advice to women in abusive relationships….get help for you and your children the first time.
I started a ministry before I left, but it crashed around my feet
because I didn’t have full buy in by my spouse—I’m hoping to pick up
where I left off because this is such an IMPORTANT, yet misunderstood
issue in Christian circles.
Keep up the good work of putting controversial issues before the
public.

How timely a post for myself and my ministry. 2 weeks ago one of the ladies that I have been discipling for about year was badly beaten for the first time by her husband. The good news is that in our discipling time she started going to a church I found for her, she was baptized, joined the church and even volunteered in their VBS. When she drove to the hospital after being beaten, it was her new pastor and church family that was there for her within minutes. She was amazed. She is now in a safe place and continuing her meetings with me each week. She was PREPARED spiritually for her storm.
This was my first up close and personal abusive situation and I was so thankful that God had brought her to me a year ago. In His sovereignty, He knew she was going to need HIM!!

Thank you Deanna for sharing how god is equipping you for crises with your women. Most of us are not prepared to be counselors. That is also why we developed the resource Women Reaching Women in Crisis!

LifeWay Women provides biblical solutions for churches, small groups and individuals, engaging women to know Jesus, to seek His kingdom and be spiritually transformed and equipped for service. Thanks for connecting with us online!